Club captain Simon Mannering will return from injury for the Warriors’ final NRL match of the season against Canberra, but mercurial playmaker Shaun Johnson has been dropped.
Johnson has been left out of the match day squad, while halves partner James Maloney, who is headed to the Sydney Roosters next season, has been named among seven options for the four interchange spots.
Caretaker coach Tony Iro has opted instead for the new combination of Feleti Mateo, usually used as a second-rower, and Pita Godinet as five-eighth and halfback against the Raiders in Auckland on Sunday.
Johnson left the field with an eye injury in the 38-6 defeat to St George Illawarra last weekend, but Iro says the halfback has recovered and was available for selection.
“This is a case of us picking the side we think will give us the best chance of winning against the Raiders,” Iro said.
“Pita has been in good form since coming back into the side and deserves the opportunity, and we wanted to use Feleti at six.”
With the Warriors on a seven-match losing streak, Iro, who took over from sacked coach Brian McClennan last week, said changes had to be made.
“We have to do something about trying to get a much improved performance from the team in front of our members,” he said.
Mannering, who celebrated his 26th birthday on Tuesday, has missed the Warriors’ past five games with an ankle injury.
The second-rower will be reunited with lock Micheal Luck, who will make his 150th and final appearance for the Warriors.
Luck, who also played 76 times for North Queensland, is set to hang up his boots and take up an off-field role with the Cowboys.